Part Two – 24 June 2010
We have more contenders for our Wines of the Year. There are three wines by Angove that deliver tremendous value. The pick is the Vineyard Select, but I defy anyone not to like the Long Row – shiraz at $10 or less.
Reviewed
Brown Brothers – Shiraz – Patricia – 2006 (18.2). A touch of dusty, cedary oak and earthiness leads off, but there is fresh, cooler climate fruit too. The palate has menthol and peppery shiraz fruit and a touch of tar. Fruit quality is good with real density, texture, structure and excellent mouth-feel. Very good length. Needs plenty of air to open up. Develops really sweet fruit, with leather and chocolate to close.
Angove – Shiraz – Vineyard Select – 2008 (18+). Really fresh and vibrant. Points for drinkability. Ripe fruit with both satsuma plum and blackberries. Really silky and long, with fine tannins and seamless oak to close. Very good wine and a steal at less than $18. Back up the truck!
Balnaves – Shiraz – 2006 (17.8). Seductive nose. Menthol, plum, raspberry, cedar and a touch of spice. Wow. This is special. Really intense fruit with pepper and spice. Tightly structured, this has finesse and great length.
Angove – Shiraz/Viognier – Nine Vines – 2008 (17.7). Quite ethereal and yet beguiling. This hints at fruit but it is very shy, though one panellist found red berry, plum and fennel. The fruit quality is matched by oak and skilled making. Will evolve. Great value.
Galafrey – Shiraz – Dry Grown Reserve – 2006 (17.7). Quite serious fruit with white pepper to the fore. Complex earthy characters dominate. Pristine fruit on the palate with more pepper and cedary oak. The finish is very long but shut down by very fine tannins. One panellist really loved this, and the wine will reward time in the cellar.
Angove – Shiraz – Long Row – 2008 (17). Quite dense and closed. Super winemaking to this with a silky mouth-feel that borders on seamless. Builds intensity on the finish and there is real length. Cooler fruit characters could do with a touch more intensity. Stunning value at $10 RRP.
Mount Avoca – Shiraz – 2008 (17/17.5). Fragrant and perfumed with cinnamon, vanilla and white pepper. Really peppery palate with enough ripe, juicy fruit to carry the tannins and oak. Again not as dense as some, but delicious. (Was much better the next night, with dense fruit to the fore).
Mt Langi Ghiran –Shiraz – Langi – 2007 (17). A very structured and firm wine that is obviously very well made. The fine tannins and grip prevent this being enjoyable now. May evolve though!
Paul Conti – Shiraz – Medici Ridge – 2007 (16.9). Some pong and earthy note. Think barnyard and horse. This is really dense and remarkably silky. Yes, it is old fashioned, will probably age well and will definitely polarise.
Chalk Hill – Shiraz – 2007 (16.8). Plum fruit, spice and density. A warmer style for those who like a big red.
Trevelen Farm – Shiraz – Frankland Reserve – 2007 (16.5). Generous, spicy, with chewy tannins to close.
Elderton – Shiraz – 2007 (16.3). Wow, really floral and pretty. Sweet fruit but with a really souring finish. Definitely needs food. Lack of generosity on the palate reflects the vintage.
Angove – Shiraz – Big Blokes Red – 2008 (16). Fruit ripe and plummy with a touch of confectionary notes. Plump, plumy fruit dominates the palate. An easy drinking style with some appeal.